MCAD Tech Trends: 2D to 3D #9

Generally today, when we think of a company moving to 3D
design to take advantage of enriched data in a 3D model, we
assume the company has moved from a 2D software program such
as AutoCAD. In the case of Croft Trailer Supply, however,
the move was from pencil, paper, and drafting board.

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the 65-year-old company
manufactures various flatbed, utility, and equipment
trailers. A holdout in favor of manual design methods, Croft
Trailer Supply recently considered itself ready to
modernize. To that end, the company asked Rich Stephens, an
engineer and computer consultant, to research software
options for automating design processes. With the cost of
conversion from pencil and paper to full automation very
much in mind, Stephens looked at 2D AutoCAD as well as the
3D systems SolidWorks and Alibre Design Professional.

Fast Transition
Given that Alibre Design could be purchased for a price
similar to that of AutoCAD LT, Stephens elected to give the
software a full-fledged tryout. In a few months, he had
converted the company's utility trailer line to Alibre.
The company is now looking to apply Alibre Design
Professional to its lawn and garden trailer lines.

Stephens credits the phone and Internet support available
from Alibre for his ability to ease into full design use of
the product. In addition to the 3D modeling capabilities Alibre Design
offers, Stephens applauds the
software's ability to generate fully detailed, associative
2D drawings — a feature that helped to boost the
productivity of contract welders supplementing the company's
regular crew. In the past, manual drawings were a mix of
those done in millimeters and inches, some inscribed with
barely legible notes. The company's regular welding crew was
familiar with the necessary workarounds, but supplemental
crews often had to be schooled on the spot, slowing down the
process. Now, the company can generate all the needed
details from the 3D model, completely eliminating these
delays.

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Expectations Surpassed For trailers, springs are de rigueur, and Stephens and
others working on trailer design especially appreciate
Alibre Design's Helical Boss and Sweep Boss modeling tools.
All told, the productivity gains realized by moving to 3D
exceeded expectations at Croft, and now the company sees
trailer customization as an added benefit to extend to its
customer base.

“Croft jumped in with both feet,” says Stephens of the
company's move to 3D. “I'm glad we did. With 3D modeling and
the communication tools that weren't available to us before,
we are realizing productivity gains we didn't think
possible.”

About the Author: Arnie Williams

Autodesk Technical Evangelist Lynn Allen guides you through a different AutoCAD feature in every edition of her popular "Circles and Lines" tutorial series. For even more AutoCAD how-to, check out Lynn's quick tips in the Cadalyst Video Gallery. Subscribe to Cadalyst's free Tips & Tools Weekly e-newsletter and we'll notify you every time a new video tip is published. All exclusively from Cadalyst!Follow Lynn on Twitter

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